A Case for Distributed Control of Local Stem Cell Behavior in Plants

Publication date: 26 September 2016
Source:Developmental Cell, Volume 38, Issue 6
Author(s): Ramin Rahni, Idan Efroni, Kenneth D. Birnbaum
The root meristem has a centrally located group of mitotically quiescent cells, to which current models assign a stem cell organizer function. However, evidence is emerging for decentralized control of stem cell activity, whereby self-renewing behavior emerges from the lack of cell displacement at the border of opposing differentiation gradients. We term this a "stagnation" model due to its reliance on passive mechanics. The position of stem cells is established by two opposing axes that reciprocally control each other's differentiation. Such broad tissue organization programs would allow plants, like some animal systems, to rapidly reconstitute stem cells from non-stem-cell tissues.

Teaser

In root meristems, current models assign stem cell organizer function to a centrally located group of quiescent cells. Rahni et al. discuss emerging evidence for decentralized control of stem cell activity, whereby self-renewing behavior emerges from passive mechanics, and reciprocal control of differentiation by opposing axes establishes stem cell position.


http://ift.tt/2dwEgbh